Shirley had always believed in her younger brother, Alex. When she left for the US, she trusted him to take care of their aging mother. She thought Alex would be responsible enough to look after her. But during a visit back home a year later, Shirley stumbled upon a heartbreaking discovery that would change her life completely.
Shirley, a 40-year-old nurse, had moved abroad for better job opportunities. Before that, she lived with her mother, who had made it clear she didn’t want to move into a nursing home. Since Shirley couldn’t take her mother with her to the small apartment she shared with her husband and son, she needed someone else to stay with her. That responsibility fell on Alex, who had just finished university.
Before leaving, Shirley sat down with Alex to explain the situation. “Mom needs someone with her all the time,” she said, her voice firm but caring. “I can’t take her with me. We don’t have enough space, and she needs help. I’m trusting you.”
Alex, however, wasn’t interested in moving to the quiet rural village to live with their mother. “I’ll visit her every weekend,” he suggested. “I’ll make sure the house is clean, and she has enough food. But I don’t want to live there.”
Shirley hesitated. “Are you sure that’s enough?” she asked, worried about their mother being alone for most of the week.
“It’ll be fine,” Alex assured her. “Mom’s still pretty independent.”
Reluctantly, Shirley agreed. She wasn’t completely satisfied with the plan, but she had no other choice. She left, hoping for the best but still anxious about her mother’s future.
For three years, Alex kept his word. Every weekend, he visited their mother, bringing groceries and checking on her. Shirley, busy with her life in the US, sent occasional calls to her mother, and everything seemed to be okay. But then, during the holidays that year, she came home for a visit and immediately sensed that something was wrong.
Her mother, who had always been lively despite her age, looked frail, weaker than Shirley had ever seen her. Concern filled her. She knew her mother couldn’t keep living alone like this.
“We need a new plan,” she told Alex. “Mom’s not doing well. She can’t stay here by herself anymore.”
Alex agreed, but he was still unwilling to move to the village. Shirley, desperate to find a solution, made him an offer. “What if I send you money every month? You can move in with Mom, and that way, you won’t have to worry about expenses. I’ll cover both of you.”
Alex thought about it and, with the promise of money, finally agreed. Relieved, Shirley went back to the US, trusting that Alex would now take better care of their mother. Every month, she sent enough money for them both, confident that her brother would fulfill his duty.
But Alex had no intention of moving in. Instead, he continued visiting on the weekends, pocketing the money Shirley sent and spending it on himself. Their mother, too proud to admit the truth, didn’t say a word to Shirley. She didn’t want to be a burden, and so she kept silent.
A year later, Shirley decided to make another trip home. This time, she planned to surprise her family by arriving earlier than expected. When she walked through the front door, her heart sank—her mother was alone.
“Where’s Alex?” Shirley asked, her voice trembling with worry. “He’s supposed to be living here, taking care of you.”
Her mother sighed deeply and finally revealed the truth. “He visits sometimes, but he never moved in. He’s been using the money for himself.”
Shirley’s stomach dropped. She felt a mix of anger and sadness as she tried to process what her mother had just told her. When Alex came by later that day, she wasted no time confronting him.
“You promised me you’d take care of Mom! How could you leave her alone like this?” Shirley’s voice shook with emotion, her eyes fixed on Alex, waiting for an explanation.
Alex, however, seemed unbothered. “There are lots of elderly people who live on their own here. Mom’s fine.”
“She’s not fine, Alex,” Shirley snapped. “She’s sick, and she’s weak! What have you been doing with the money I’ve been sending?”
It was their mother who answered. “He’s been gambling it away. Everyone in the village knows about it.”
Shirley felt her chest tighten. The betrayal hit her hard. Not only had her brother neglected their mother, but he had been lying to her for a year, using her hard-earned money for his own pleasures. She didn’t know what to do, so she turned to her husband for advice.
“I think we should bring Mom to live with us,” she said, her voice quiet but determined.
Her husband, after thinking it over, nodded in agreement. “We’ll make it work, somehow.”
Shirley then spoke with her mother, gently suggesting the idea. Her mother hesitated at first but eventually agreed, realizing that it was time for a change. They decided to sell her house and use the money to move into a bigger apartment with Shirley’s family. But they kept the plan a secret, afraid that Alex might try to claim a portion of the sale.
Before Shirley left, she told Alex that they had made other arrangements for their mother’s care. “A neighbor will check on her until we figure out the next steps,” she said coldly, not wanting to share the full plan with him.
Alex didn’t seem to care. “Just put her in a nursing home,” he shrugged. “She’ll be fine.”
Disappointed and hurt by her brother’s indifference, Shirley returned to the US. Over the next few months, she arranged the sale of their mother’s house. Finally, the day came when her mother arrived to live with them. They had managed to find a larger apartment using the proceeds from the house, and Shirley felt a weight lift from her shoulders knowing her mother was safe.
At the airport, Shirley stood with her husband and son, eagerly waiting for her mother to arrive. When she finally saw her, frail but smiling, Shirley knew that they had made the right decision. Now, her mother wouldn’t have to face old age alone. Surrounded by family, especially her grandson, she could live out her days in comfort and love.
Key Lessons:
- Trust isn’t something you can give blindly. Shirley trusted Alex to take care of their mother, but he broke that trust in the worst way.
- Family is about more than just words. Shirley’s husband showed that, despite their financial concerns, he understood the importance of caring for those who need it most.
